An important link between the joined histories of England and Spain remains covered by wooden panels in a ruined church in Soria, Spain. The panels depict the murder of St. Thomas a Becket, an act that sat heavily on the shoulders of king Henry II of England. (photo)

Historical Japan isn't just about elegant tea ceremonies or graceful cherry blossoms. Sometimes it's about 15th century sword fighting. Members of Avalon, a sister organization of the SCA, teach the martial art at Mejiro’s Castle Tintagel, a European medieval martial arts training center in Tokyo. Patrick W Galbraith of Japan Today has the story.